Check Cherry vs ShootQ

Check Cherry is a booking and business-management platform for event professionals, including photographers, DJs, photo booth owners, venues and mobile bartenders. Clients can select packages, add-ons and locations, then complete contracts and payments through a multi-step booking flow. Mini-session links let clients choose available slots, sign agreements and pay, with automatic reminders. Electronic signatures cover contracts, model releases and session agreements on any device. Payments support major cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay; listed processing fees are 2.9% plus 30¢ USD. Two-way calendar synchronization works with Google Calendar, iCal/Apple Calendar and Outlook. Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Mailchimp, Zapier, Twilio, Google Meet, Zoom and Canva. Every plan includes REST API access and webhooks for bookings, leads and payments. Native iOS and Android apps manage bookings, invoices, client details and notifications. Plans start at $29 a month, billed annually as $348, with a 14-day trial and no free plan.

ShootQ is a web-based CRM and studio management system for photographers and other service-oriented creatives. It organizes jobs, clients, invoices, tasks, leads, contracts, and scheduling in one service. Studios can create online contracts and invoices, watch overdue payments, and automate late-payment notices. Lead tools include tracking, customizable forms, workflows, employee task assignments, proposals, questionnaires, template emails, and customer notes. Scheduling covers appointments, employees, busy-time blocking, and calendar connections, including Google, Apple, Outlook, and other calendars. ShootProof integration creates and links an album when a job is booked. Payment setup is documented for Square, Stripe, Authorize.net, Braintree, and PayPal Pro; QuickBooks integration is listed as coming soon. Plans are paid, with Booking Only at $14.95 a month and a 14-day trial; there is no free plan. Support includes phone, chat, email, setup help, and training.